Accounting controls at the Society of Jesus – 1646 to 2005
ISSN: 1751-1348
Article publication date: 2 September 2021
Issue publication date: 9 March 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to detail the evolution of accounting controls conveyed as written rules at the Society of Jesus from the middle of the 17th century to the present day.
Design/methodology/approach
An analytically structured history approach is adopted. Four “Instructions” are analysed in detail and institutional theory is used as a lens to examine influences on accounting control rules over time.
Findings
The analysis reveals that accounting control rules maintained a core stability over time but were adapted and extended according to internal and external factors. Changes to the rules were thus mostly evolutionary. Influenced by mainly external factors, over the years the rules have become more detailed and accompanied by more practical guidance.
Originality/value
This study provides an analysis of the evolution of accounting control rules at the Society of Jesus, which thus far has not been presented. It provides insights on how the rules introduced more clarity and highlights the increasing recognition of secular management control and development within the Jesuit rules.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank a Jesuit who helped us in the course of this research. Our thanks also to John O’Rourke for help with Latin translations. Finally, our thanks also go to the anonymous reviewers and the Editor for their assistance with this paper.
Citation
Quinn, M., Oliveira, J. and Santidrián, A. (2022), "Accounting controls at the Society of Jesus – 1646 to 2005", Journal of Management History, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 255-283. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMH-10-2020-0066
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited